Our most recent NSSE results show that Saint Mary’s provides a distinctive and superior college experience compared with other colleges nationally and even with other small, liberal arts colleges in the Midwest. In many important categories, our students’ responses were much more favorable than the comparison groups.

Here are some noteworthy characteristics of the Saint Mary’s experience:

We provide students what they need to succeed in College and in professional life. Seniors in the College were more likely to report that Saint Mary’s:

provided support needed to help succeed academically.

provided support they needed to thrive socially.

emphasized helping them cope with non-academic responsibilities (work, family etc.).

contributed to their self-understanding.

Students have valuable interactions with faculty in and out of class. Nearly 90% of Saint Mary’s seniors responding to the survey said faculty members were available, helpful and sympathetic. They were also more likely to indicate that they:

discussed ideas from readings or classes with a faculty member outside of class.

worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework (committees, student orientation etc.).

talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor.

found the overall quality of academic advising to be excellent or good.

We promote cooperation and connection. Saint Mary’s seniors were more likely to report that:

they worked frequently with classmates outside of class to prepare class assignments.

they experienced friendly and supportive relationships with other students, and a sense of belonging.

Our students engage in a variety of enriching activities in a residential setting. Saint Mary’s seniors were much more likely to indicate that they:

Saint Mary's University is one of 155 schools receiving the "Best in the Midwest" designation for 2014 from the Princeton Review, a national college guide and ranking program.

Each year, the Princeton Review profiles colleges and universities that "stand out as academically excellent institutions of higher learning." The Princeton Review survey asks students to rate their own schools on a variety of issues — from the accessibility of their professors to quality of the campus food — and answer questions about themselves, their fellow students, and their campus life. The Princeton Review is a New York City-based company known for test-preparation courses, education services and books; it is not affiliated with Princeton University.

The 643 colleges named regional bests (225 in the Northeast, 138 in the Southeast, 155 in the Midwest, and 125 in the West) represent only about 25 percent of the nation's 2,500 four-year colleges.

Saint Mary’s is ranked in top tier of U.S. News ‘Best National Universities’

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is once again ranked in the top tier of the annual U.S. News & World Report ratings of best colleges and universities.

Saint Mary’s is ranked No. 173 in the National Universities category of the U.S. News Best Colleges 2014 guidebook, moving up one slot from No. 174 in the 2013 guide. Saint Mary’s is one of only three public or private schools in Minnesota listed in this elite category.

“Year in and year out, Saint Mary’s is nationally recognized for its excellent educational experience,” said President Brother William Mann. “As a top-tier university, we meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our students at every level, from undergraduate to master’s to doctoral.”

U.S. News ranks Saint Mary’s in the “National Universities” category, which includes schools that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees.

Taking top honors in the “National Universities” ranking are Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University and Stanford University.

Along with “National Universities,” the other main U.S. News institutional groupings are “National Liberal Arts Colleges,” “Regional Universities” and “Regional Colleges.”

U.S. News categorizes schools primarily by mission and region, and ranking data is gathered from each institution on indicators of academic excellence. The ranking of more than 1,500 schools is available online at www.usnews.com.